Life preserver



April 24, 1928.

C. W. BRENINGER LIFE PRESERVER gmwnifoz C WBreki/zger 1 AM WM Patented Apr. '24, 1928.

CLYDE BRENINGER,-OF CANTON, OHIO.

LIFE rn'nsnnvnn.

Application filed March 10, 1927. Serial no. 174,286.

The invention relates to life preservers and more particularly to an inflatable device adapted to be easily and readily adjust ed upon a person.

5 The object of the improvement is to provide a life preserver comprising a pair of substantially U-shaped or semi-circular inflatable bags adapted to be worn beneath the arms of a person; means being provided for supporting each bag by a strap or the like passed over the shoulder, adjustable straps being provided at the ends or sides of each bag whereby they may be quickly and readily adjusted upon persons of difi'erent sizes; each bag being provided with an air valve by means of which it may be easily inflated for use, or deflated when not in use.

An embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the improved life preserver adjusted in position upon the body of a swimmer, and

Fig. 2, an enlarged side elevation of one of the air bags' Similar numerals refer to similar parts throughout the drawing.

The device is adapted for use to assist beginners in learning to swim, keeping the body afloat in any desired position in the water; and may also be worn over the clothing in cases of emergency to prevent drownmg.

The life preserver comprises two inflatable bags 1, formed of rubber or the like which may be reinforced with a fabric or other suitable material if desired.

Each air bag is substantially half round, the central notched opening 2 being shaped to fit beneath the arm of the wearer. A strap or cord 3 is connected at its ends to V the opposite corners of the notched opening 2 and arranged to be slipped over the shoul der of the wearer, as clearly shown in Fig.

1, thus supporting the bag from the shoulder and in a position where it does not in any manner interfere with free movement of the arms in swimming. As shown in Fig. 1, the front ends of the air bags are positioned across the chest of the wearer, and

the rear ends are likewise positionedacross the back of the wearer.

Each bag IS'PIOVldBCl with an air valve 4 by means of which the bag may be in- Y fiated with an ordinary air pump, when it is desired to use. the life preserver or de' flated whennot in use.

Oneor more straps or cords 5 are con nected to each end of each air bag, these straps being arranged to be 'adjustably connected together across the back and chest of the wearer in the manner illustrated in Fig. 1 in order to secure the life preserver in position. 1

It will be seen that with the device adjusted as illustrated in the drawing, the air bags will be supported around the body of the wearer, and beneath the arms, permitting free use of the arms in'swimming.

It should beunderstood that the air bags may be made in different sizes to suit the weight-of the wearer and that more or less air may be pumped into the bag as desired.

I claim: v 1. A life preserver comprising a pair of substantially semi-circular air bags, 1 and means for supporting one of said bags beneath each arm, so that the ends of the bags are positioned across the back and chest of the wearer.

2.A life preserver comprising a pair of substantially semi-circular air bags, means for supporting one of said bags beneath each arm, and means for connecting the bags together across the back and chest of the wearer, so that the ends of the bags are positioned across the back and chest of the wearer.

3. A life preserver comprising a pair of substantially semi-circular air bags, means for supporting one of said bags beneath each arm andmeans for adjustably connecting the bags together, so that the ends of the bags the wearer.

4. A lifepreserver comprisinga pair of substantially semi-circular air bags adapted to be supported beneath the arms and a strap upon each bag arranged to be located over the shoulder of the wearer, the ends of the are positioned across the back. and chest of A bags being positioned across the back and for connecting the bags together across the chest of the wearer. back and chest of the wearer, so that the 5. A life preserver comprising a pair of ends of the bags are positioned across the 10 substantially semi-circular air bags adapted back and chest of the wearer. 5 to be supported beneath the arms and a In testimony that I claim the above, I

strap upon each bag arranged to be located have hereunto subscribed my name. over the shoulder of the wearer, and means j CLYDE W. BRENINGER. 

